Boston Blood

Eight

Boston, 2000

"Frankie, give me a hand with this, would you?" Marie shouted up the stairs as Frankie scoffed and wiped her wet hands on the small tea cloth that was tucked into the back pocket of her jeans. "Marie, it's mental up here, get Colin to help you!" Frankie replied, filling two pints of Guinness for two of the regulars before moving on to serve a bunch of college kids. It wasn't normally this busy on a Thursday night but it was the day before Saint Patrick's Day and the bar was always packed during this week every year. Frankie didn't mind. She preferred when it was busy. It kept her mind occupied and made the shifts go really quickly. It was a welcome distraction.

She could hear Marie curse, loudly, as she carried the case of glasses towards the bar, just about making it. Frankie grabbed the bottom of the box and slammed into onto the counter. "I told you to get Colin!" She snapped, angrily, scanning the bar for her manager.

"He's too busy holding court over there." Marie snarled, nudging her head to the right as she helped Frankie fill more pints. Through the growing crowd, Frankie saw Colin sitting just under the fireplace at the back of the pub. He threw his head back and laughed as a couple of young women flashed flirtatious and desperate smiles in his direction. His black suit shirt was rolled up his forearms, highlighting his strong, muscular frame, purposely. Frankie rolled her eyes in frustration as she leaned over the bar and screamed; "We could use a hand here, your highness." A few of the regulars laughed and glanced over at the young man as Frankie raised her eyebrows at Colin, expectantly. He shot her a dangerous glance before leaning into one of the young women and whispering something, causing her to blush and giggle.

Frankie rolled her eyes so hard she thought she might give herself a headache. Colin got up and made his way over to the bar, nodding approvingly at girls ten years younger than him. He jumped over the oak counter and grabbed Frankie by the elbow. "Don't you dare speak to me like that in front of company. I don't care how much my Da likes you. I'm your boss, now. Got it? You embarrass me like that again and you're sacked." Colin warned Frankie as he towered over her and squeezed her elbow, tighter. Frankie yanked her arm away and glared at him in disgust. She wanted to tell him to fuck off and that he can shove this job up his arse but she didn't. She couldn't do that to Billy. Not after everything he had done for her. She owed him, big time.

Frankie bit her tongue and just nodded at Colin who was now smirking at her. She despised him and he loved it. He was the same age as her but he acted like a sixteen year old. What a dick. Her thoughts were interrupted when Billy's voice boomed as he stepped out of the office.

"You're not the fuckin' boss yet, Colin. I'm not outta here until next week so get your arse in gear and start serving pints. D'ya hear me? Or you'll be the one with no job." Billy sounded terrifying as his fierce green eyes penetrated his son's. Colin swallowed and mumbled under his breath before serving the next customer. Frankie shot a small smile at Billy who had placed his huge hand on her shoulder. "Sorry about him. Little shit." Billy winked as Frankie laughed and went back to work.

Her shift flew by and before she realised it, it was closing time. As the last few customer's staggered from the bar, Frankie yawned as she wiped the beer soaked counter and said good night to Marie who was heading out. She worked a double shift that day and was absolutely exhausted. But she hoped she would be tired enough to sleep when she got home. She had always asked for extra shifts around this time of year. She wanted to be kept as busy as possible. "You look terrible, Frankie. You need to take a day off." Billy said as he handed her her wages for the night. "Ah, I don't mind, Bill. Sure I want to spend as much time with you as I can before you go off to Florida and retire." Frankie replied, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness.